"I learned so much from my teachers and had so much fun I can't believe it!"

Faculty and Staff

Explorer West teachers understand that the middle school years can be particularly trying for young people. Our teachers have come to Explorer West with the specific desire and experience to work with girls and boys of this age. They are skilled in drawing out the best from each student. They are practiced counselors and work closely with parents. They show their students how to work together and how to be social as well as intellectual beings. Above all, they show them that learning can occur with confidence and excitement. Explorer West teachers stand by their students during this crucial stage of growth.

Our Faculty

Virgil Beck, Biology:

BAE Natural Science, Eastern Washington University. Since moving back to Seattle in 2004, Virgil briefly served as a middle school substitute in the Seattle Public Schools and now revels in teaching K-5 science at Tilden School. Having grown up in both Seattle and North Idaho, his heart lies somewhere in-between--maybe at Vantage. Virgil was an avid cyclist until his first daughter, Violet was born, and he is now an avid bicycle collector. In 1995 Virgil completed Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue School, as well as a successful ascent of Mt. Baker. He also hopes that his experience as a photographer, bike mechanic, flight attendant, sailboat crewmember, and thespian will help him delight the 7th graders at EW.

Andy Colleran, Mathematics:

BA, University of Washington; MA Teaching, City University. Andy spent ten years teaching Mathematics at Highland Middle School in the Bellevue School District before coming to Explorer West. He earned National Board Certification in Early Adult Mathematics in 2005. A middle school specialist, he considers math a second language. He has been snowboarding since 1986, and was formerly a certified snowboard instructor. As a cycling enthusiast, Andy enjoys building bikes and often commutes to work by bike from Ballard. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife and three children.

Aurora de la Cruz, Music and Drama:

BA Music (minor in Computer and Information Science) and MA Music Education, University of Oregon. Aurora joined Explorer West in its third year to initiate and develop the music program. Over the years, she has led our many music ensembles, both instrumental and vocal, and the world music curriculum, for which she wrote a middle-school workbook (her Master degree final project). Aurora also earned the "Outstanding Performance in Music History" award from the U. of Oregon School of Music. In addition to music classes, Aurora assists with our musicals and coaches the ultimate frisbee team. In her spare time, Aurora enjoys sailing, studying Spanish, hiking, cooking, traveling, sports, and, of course, music. She currently sings with the Seattle Symphony Chorale.

David Orace Kelly, Drama:

BFA Performance (acting, dance and voice), Naropa University; additional training with Dell'Arte School of Physical Theater and the International Juggling Association. David performed professionally for ten years as a juggler and director before teaching drama and performance. Most recently, David served as a drama teacher, director, choreographer and designer at the Rocky Mountain Theater for Kids. He had directed and choreographed for over 30 youth productions, including directing: "Grease," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Stuart Little," and "Our Town." Returning to Seattle after four years, David seeks to invigorate Explorer West's drama program through: encouraging creativity, the dynamic use of imagination, and a precise inspection of performance contributing to the holistic development of the self.

Rick Marting, English, Dean of Students:

BA, Miami University; MEd, University of Washington; MFC, Presbyterian Counseling Services. Rick was co-director of Explorer West with Pat Preib at its founding in 1996. Before coming to Explorer West, Rick taught humanities at The Northwest School, served as Head of the English department at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, and spent several years as a lead teacher at Pacific Crest Middle School. He has served as a family counselor at Group Health Cooperative and spent several years touring the Midwest as a professional drummer.  Since 1999, Rick has devoted his efforts full time to teaching literature, writing, and grammar.   

Erik Michels, Physical Education:

B.A. Theatre, St. Mary's College (CA). Erik is a Seattle native who joins EW after coaching competitive sports since 1999, and has been involved with both Special Olympics and Radio Disney. Erik began coaching Nike Tennis Camps throughout the northwest while in high school. He continued his passion for teaching kids while coaching at University of Washington Tennis Camps, Seattle Tennis Center, Seattle Prep High School, and Sun Valley Resort in Idaho. In addition to sports, he has taught improvisational theatre classes. In his spare time, Erik enjoys attending sporting events, theatrical productions, and music concerts.

Kristin Moore, Science:

BA, Ripon College; MEd, University of Washington. Kristin joined the Explorer West faculty in 1997. Claiming an inability to sit still for very long, Kristin sympathizes with her often-squiggly students. Consequently, her science classes teem with hands-on projects, and she emphasizes learning in the great outdoors during our overnight trips. Coming to Seattle from the North Country School in Lake Placid, NY, where she created highly successful outdoor education and community service programs, Kristin brings a wealth of wilderness, community service, administrative, and middle school teaching experience to Explorer West. An avid backpacker and environmentalist, Kristin contributes a great deal of experience to our outdoor education program. She has earned her Wilderness First Aid certificate. 

Sarah Robertson Palmer, Art:

BA Art History, University of California at Santa Barbara; additional studies at The California College of Arts and Crafts and The Pratt Fine Arts. Sarah has developed, taught and administered art programs for over 20 years at numerous arts and educational organizations. Sarah enjoys painting, printmaking, ceramics, metalsmithing, collage, mixed media and jewelry. She has created, exhibited and sold her art in a variety of venues, and is co-author of a cultural arts activity book, Festivals of Light. Her artwork is featured in the book, Wild With A Glue Gun. World travels have inspired her to create multi-media fine arts and crafts curriculum for her students that includes art history, cultural awareness, and the celebration of the imagination.

Maripat Webber, Latin:

BA in Latin/English, Dominican College; MA in Classics, University of Hawaii, Graduate work in Classics and English, University of Washington.  Maripat grew up in the Bay Area, and came to Seattle in 1976 for graduate school.  She subsequently worked in a variety of roles for various non-profit organizations in Seattle and tutoring in her off hours before gravitating to technical writing.  She was Production Editor for Linux Journal, held editing and writing positions at a number of software companies, and then worked in the Learning and Development Division at T-Mobile where she developed training curricula.  Her most recent teaching position was at Villa Academy, where she taught eighth grade Latin and substituted in just about every other classroom at the Academy.  Her interests include gardening, ancient cultures, Medieval and Renaissance Literature, Celtica, Hawaiiana, and aboriginal canines, especially Basenjis, of which she has several.  She and her dogs enjoy long walks, lure coursing and curling up after all that activity with a good book.

Ben Wheeler, History:

BA Political Philosophy, Yale University; MA Education, University of California; teaching credentials in Washington and California. With detours into counseling and music, since 1982 Ben has worked as a secondary school educator. Ben was a middle school head in California and locally at Seattle Country Day School. Since 2003 Ben has taught American History, Global Studies, Ancient Civilizations, Guitar, and Comic Explorations at Explorer West. Ben is a chief architect of the school's award winning Sustainability Initiative and the annual sustainability festival. He is a frequent presenter at regional and national workshops. Ben authored the high school textbook, It's All Connected - A Comprehensive Guide to Global Issues and Sustainable Solutions. A Seattle native, he loves fly-fishing, cross-country skiing, and backpacking with his wife, Gilda.

Our Staff

Debbie Ehri, Business Manager:

BS Accounting, University of Idaho - CPA. Before coming to Explorer West in June of 2000, Debbie worked for the accounting firm KPMG and then for Unico Properties as corporate controller. Her interests include sailing and language study. Her passion for languages and, specifically her knowledge of Italian, has proved useful as the coordinator of the 8th grade travel program in previous trips to Rome.

Meghan Harris, Receptionist:

BA in Psychology at Whitman College; Registered Counselor under the Washington State Department of Health. Meghan recently graduated from Whitman and hopes to go onto graduate school for Art Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy. She also has her own henna tattoo business. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, downhill skiing, biking, and doing art.

Evan Hundley, Head of School:

BA Sociology/Environmental Studies, Whitman College; MA Public Administration and MA Urban Planning, University of Southern California. Evan joined Explorer West in July 2007 after 14 years teaching and coaching at University Prep and directing the tennis program at the Sand Point Golf & Country Club for almost 20 years. He has also held financial analyst positions in city government in Seattle and Redondo Beach, CA. Evan is renowned for his ability to challenge students and bring his classrooms alive with role-playing, reenactments, and assigning projects that relate to real-world challenges. At EW, Evan is excited to work with the school's learning community to set goals, enrich the curriculum and build community awareness about our vibrant middle school program.

Claudia Rose, Admissions Director:

AA Early Childhood Education, Highline Community College. Claudia has been a driving force at Explorer West for the past 10 years. She served the school as Office Manager, Administrative Assistant for The Head of School and (most recently) Admissions Director. Her eldest daughter was the first student enrolled at Explorer West. She resides in West Seattle with her husband, Jack, and their three children. Claudia loves to dance, garden and travel (favorite place is Hilo Bay, Hawaii). A highlight of Claudia's 10 years at EW was the planning and celebration of EW's 10th Anniversary in May 2007, where over 400 past, present and future students, families and friends gathered together.